Independence Day

If you missed the previous post, this year’s Madagascar handmade products sale will be held on Saturday, June 22 from 9:30 until 11:30 am. at 17 Siskin Bay.

This is the second Madagascar products sale we’ve had in Manitoba, both held at the end of June as a nod to Madagascar Independence Day, celebrated on the great red island on June 26.

One of the unique ways Malagasy celebrate their independence is with arindrina, paper lanterns, lit from inside by candles, normally ported by children after dark. The rice paddy settlements, without streetlights to hamper the dim glow of the candle-lit, brightly coloured paper orbs bobbing through the dark, is a sight to see. Magical.

Our most recent Madagascar Independence Day celebration is posted here. Click on the link to have a look.

The month of June, therefore, is usually the time when the street vendors are festooned with all sizes of lanterns for sale before the big celebration. I managed to get my hands on a few dozen medium and small-sized lanterns for the sale, remembering that they were a popular item the last time around 2 years ago.

I confess, if they don’t sell, i wouldn’t mind stringing them up around the patio myself, lit with twinkle lights. Or even in my kids’ room where they could float above their beds, swaying in the breeze of the open window.